Медные заготовки для производства монет и их фальсификатов, найденные в Литве

ENThe collections of the Lithuanian National Museum included copper discs for minting coins found at archaeological discoveries in Lithuania in 1988-1997. Among these discs 13 pieces were examined (discs of diameter of 35.5 - 1 pieces. 22-23 mm - 2 pieces. 14-15 mm - 10 pieces). Most of them were found in the Lower Castle of Vilnius (10 pieces), while the remaining come from Kaunas and Kalautuva (region of Kaunas). Most of the discs were probably determined for counterfeiting of coins. Discs of the largest diameter (35.5 mm) could serve for counterfeiting of the Dutch half-thaler from 17th century. The disc of the middle diameter (22-23 mm) can be considered as semi-finished fabricates for minting of counterfeit ducats and half-ducats from 17th – 18th century. Most of the discs of the diameter of 14-15 mm. altogether 8 pieces, were probably determined for miming of billon or cupper Polish-Lithuanian shillings of Jan Kazimierz from the years 1659-1666. Further two discs of the diameter of 14-15 mm represents semi finished fabricates for minting genuine shillings of the Great Principality of Lithuania having been minted in the name of Jan Kazimierz in Kaunas and Vilnius.